MDC proteins and DNAs encoding the same

Abstract: The present invention provide a gene present in a commonly deleted region of a chromosome in breast and ovarian cancers and encoding a novel protein, the protein ("MDC protein") encoded by the gene, a method for the diagnosis of cancer by using an antibody combinable to the protein, and others. A detailed genetic map of human chromosome 17 was constructed to analyze the chromosome in breast and ovarian cancer tissues, and a gene encoding a novel protein was cloned and its structure was determined. As a result of gene analysis using DNA probes derived from the gene, a gene mutation was confirmed in breast cancer tissues. Moreover, a transformant carrying a plasmid containing the gene was grown to obtain the MDC protein. Furthermore, a monoclonal antibody was prepared by using the protein as antigen.

Description: Background of the Invention Field of the Invention The present invention relates to MDC proteins, DNAs encoding the same, and gene analysis methods using the DNAs. The present invention can be utilized in such fields as medical treatment and diagnosis. Description of the Related Art The opinion that mutations in cellular proteins play an important role in the onset of cancer has been known for long. Recent advancement in genetic engineering enables analysis of gene mutations in tumor cells, and has brought about a marked progress in the field of cancer research. Up to this time, the analysis and identification of oncogenes have made such progress that the number thereof has amounted to several tens. On the other hand, attention has been focused on tumor suppressor genes for these several years. The tumor suppressor genes which have been discovered thus far include the Rb gene for retinoblastoma (Friend, S.H. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 84, 9095, 1987), the p53 gene (Lane, D.P. et al., Nature, 278, 261, 1979) and the APC gene (Kenneth, W.K. et al., Science, 253, 661, 1991) for colorectal tumor, the WT1 gene for Wilms' tumor (Call, K.M. et al., Cell, 60, 509, 1990), and the like. In the case of the p53 gene, some families are known to be inheriting mutations in the gene ["Li-Fraumeni syndrome" (Makin, D. et al., Science, 250, 1233, 1990; Srivastava, S. et al., Nature, 348, 747, 1990)]. Moreover, it is becoming increasingly clear that defects in multiple genes, and not in a single gene, contribute to the progression of the malignant phenotype of cancer, and it is believed that there exist much more unidentified oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. The discovery and elucidation of them are expected by not only investigators and clinicians, but also common people in all the world. Breast cancer is classified into hereditary (familial) breast cancer and nonhereditary (sporadic) breast cancer, and hereditary breast cancer is classified into early-onset and late-onset diseases according to the age of onset. It has been revealed by linkage analyses that, at least early-onset familial, breast cancer linked to a very small region on chromosome 17 (Hall, J.M. et al., Science, 250, 1684-1689, 1990). Moreover, it has been shown that hereditary ovarian cancer is also linked to the same region (Narod, S.A. et al., Lancet, 338, 82-83, 1991). Accordingly, it is believed that a tumor suppressor gene is present in this region and protein deficiency or mutation induced by an allelic deletion or mutation of the gene is one of the causes of breast and ovarian cancers. It is believed that in the onset of common (sporadic) breast cancer as well, the occurence of an acquired mutation or allelic deletion of the gene in this region results in protein mutation or deficiency and this causes the transformation of a normal cell to a breast cancer (Sato et al., Cancer Res., 51, 5794-5799, 1991). Consequently, isolation of the causative gene present in this region and identification of the protein encoded by the gene are expected as an urgent problem to not only physicians and investigators in all the world, but also common people, particularly women in Europe and America where there are numerous patients with breast cancer. The present invention provides novel proteins involved in breast and ovarian cancers, DNAs encoding them, and methods for the testing and diagnosis of cancer by using them. The present inventors disclose a novel gene encoding a 524-amino acid protein which was isolated from chromosomal region 17q21.3 where a tumor suppressor gene(s) for breast and ovarian cancers is thought to be present (Nature genetics, 5, 151-157, 1993; this paper is refered in Nature genetics, 5, No. 2, 101-102, 1993). Disclosure of the Invention Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the positions on chromosome 17 to which 342 cosmid clones hybridize. Clone names are designated by clone numbers alone. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing partial deletions on chromosome 17q in ovarian cancers. Solid circles represent the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and open circles represent the retention of both alleles. Two commonly deleted regions are designated by sidelines. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing partial deletions on chromosome 17q in breast cancers. Solid circles represent the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and open circles represent the retention of both alleles. Two commonly deleted regions are designated by sidelines. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the process starting with markers on chromosome 17q21.3 and leading to the isolation of the gene, as well as the regions where genomic rearrangements occurred in tumor tissues (hatched boxes). Clone names are designated by clone numbers alone. Figs. 5-7 are diagrams showing the detection of genomic rearrangements in breast cancers by Southern-blot analysis. Symbols N and T represent DNAs from normal tissue and tumor tissue, respectively. Fig. 8 is a graph showing a working curve for determining the concentration of the MDC protein by ELISA using a monoclonal antibody and a rabbit polyclonal antibody. Summary of the Invention The present inventors constructed a multitude of cosmid clones having DNA fragments of human chromosome 17 introduced thereinto. Then, each of the multitude of cosmid clones was localized throughout the chromosome by fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH; Inazawa et al., Genomics, 10, 1075-1078, 1991). The cosmid clones (cosmid markers), localized on the chromosome, enabled construction of a high-resolution physical map of human chromosome 17. The clone names of the cosmids as probes, i.e., the probe names, their detailed map positions and diagrammatical summary of the mapping are shown in Tables 1-3 and Fig. 1, respectively. In Fig. 1, clone names are designated by clone numbers alone. No. Probe name Locus symbol Chromosomal localization No. Probe name Locus symbol Chromosomal localization 1 cCI17-1 17q21.1 67 cCI17-501 17q21.3 2 cCI17-7 17q22 68 cCI17-502 17p11.2 3 cCI17-11 17p11.2 69 cCI17-504 17q24 4 cCI17-24 17q21.1-q21.2 70 cCI17-505 D17S544 17p12-p11.1 5 cCI17-25 17q12 71 cCI17-506 D17S545 17q21 6 cCI17-28 17q21.3 72 cCI17-507 17q21.3 7 cCI17-32 17q11.2 73 cCI17-508 D17S546 17q25.1-q25.2 8 cCI17-35 17q21.3 74 cCI17-509 17q24 9 cCI17-44 17q23.1 75 cCI17-510 17q23 10 cCI17-50 17q23.1 76 cCI17-511 17q25.1-q25.2 11 cCI17-57 17q21 77 cCI17-513 D17S548 17q11.2 12 cCI17-63 17q21.3 78 cCI17-514 17q25.1 13 cCI17-90 17q12-q21.1 79 cCI17-515 17q22 14 cCI17-95 17q23.1 80 cCI17-516 D17S550 17q25.1 15 cCI17-96 17q21.3 81 cCI17-517 17q21.3 16 cCI17-97 17q21.31 82 cCI17-518 17q25.3 17 cCI17-315 D17S521 17q25.1-q25.2 83 cCI17-519 D17S551 17q25.2-q25.3 18 cCI17-316 17q12-q21.1 84 cCI17-520 17q11.2 19 cCI17-317 17q11.2 85 cCI17-521 17q25.1-q25.2 20 cCI17-321 Centromere 86 cCI17-523 17q22 21 cCI17-403 17q21.2-q21.3 87 cCI17-524 17q21.1-q21.2 22 cCI17-412 17q11.2 88 cCI17-525 17p13.1 23 cCI17-445 17q21.1-q21.2 89 cCI17-526 17q11.2-q12 24 cCI17-422 17q22 90 cCI17-527 17q21.3 25 cCI17-425 17q11.2 91 cCI17-528 17q22 26 cCI17-428 17q23.1 92 cCI17-529 D17S552 17q25.1-q25.2 27 cCI17-451 17q21.1-q21.2 93 cCI17-530 17q23 28 cCI17-452 D17S524 17q25 94 cCI17-532 17p11.2 29 cCI17-453 D17S525 17p13 95 cCI17-533 17q21.3 30 cCI17-454 D17S526 17q23 96 cCI17-535 17q12-q21.1 31 cCI17-456 D17S527 17q23.1-q23.2 97 cCI17-536 17p11.2 32 cCI17-457 17q11.2 98 cCI17-539 17q21.3 33 cCI17-458 D17S528 17q21.1-q21.2 99 cCI17-540 17q25 34 cCI17-460 D17S529 17q11.2 100 cCI17-541 17q21.3 35 cCI17-462 17q23 101 cCI17-542 17q21.3 36 cCI17-463 17q21 102 cCI17-543 17q11.2-q12 37 cCI17-464 17q24.3-q25.1 103 cCI17-544 17q25.1 38 cCI17-465 D17S531 17q25.1-q25.2 104 cCI17-545 17q25.1 39 cCI17-466 17q25.1-q25.2 105 cCI17-546 17q24.3-q25.1 40 cCI17-467 17q25 106 cCI17-547 17q21.3 41 cCI17-468 D17S532 17q11.2 107 cCI17-548 17q23 42 cCI17-469 D17S533 17q25.2-q25.3 108 cCI17-549 17q25.3 43 cCI17-471 17p13.3-p13.2 109 cCI17-550 17q23 44 cCI17-473 D17S534 17q11.2 110 cCI17-551 17q25.1-q25.2 45 cCI17-475 D17S535 17q11.2 111 cCI17-552 17q12 46 cCI17-477 17q21.3 112 cCI17-553 17q23 47 cCI17-479 17q21.3 113 cCI17-554 17q25.1 48 cCI17-480 17q25.1-q25.2 114 cCI17-557 17q25.1-q25.2 49 cCI17-482 D17S536 17q11.2 115 cCI17-559 17q24.3-q25.1 50 cCI17-483 17p13 116 cCI17-560 17q25.1-q25.2 51 cCI17-484 D17S537 17p13.1 117 cCI17-561 17q25 52 cCI17-485 17q12 118 cCI17-562 17q11.2 53 cCI17-486 17q25.1 119 cCI17-563 17q25.1 54 cCI17-487 D17S538 17q25.1 120 cCI17-564 17q25.1 55 cCI17-488 D17S539 17p13.2-p13.1 121 cCI17-565 17q23 56 cCI17-489 D17S540 17q23 122 cCI17-567 17q21.3 57 cCI17-490 17q11.2 123 cCI17-568 17q25 58 cCI17-491 17p13.1 124 cCI17-569 17q12 59 cCI17-492 D17S542 17q11.2 125 cCI17-570 17q11.1 60 cCI17-493 17q25.1-q25.2 126 cCI17-571 17p13 61 cCI17-494 17q22 127 cCI17-572 17q25.1 62 cCI17-495 17q25 128 cCI17-573 17q25.3 63 cCI17-497 17q11.2 129 cCI17-574 17q12-q21.2 64 cCI17-498 17p11.2 130 cCI17-576 11q21.1-q21.2 65 cCI17-499 17q21.1-q21.2 131 cCI17-577 17q25.1 66 cCI17-500 17p.12 132 cCI17-578 17q11.2-q12 No. Probe name Locus symbol Chromosomal localization No. Probe name Locus symbol Chromosomal localization 133 cCI17-579 17q25.1 198 cCI17-652 17q22 134 cCI17-581 17q11.2 199 cCI17-653 17q22 135 cCI17-582 17q21.3 200 cCI17-654 17p13 136 cCI17-583 17q12-q21.1 201 cCI17-655 17q23 137 cCI17-584 17q21.3 202 cCI17-656 17q25.1 138 cCI17-586 17p13 203 cCI17-657 17p13 139 cCI17-587 17p13 204 cCI17-658 17q21.3 140 cCI17-588 17p13.1 205 cCI17-659 17q25.1 141 cCI17-590 17q12 206 cCI17-660 17q25.1 142 cCI17-591 17q24 207 cCI17-662 17p12 143 cCI17-592 17q21.3 208 cCI17-663 17q25.1 144 cCI17-593 17q25.1-q25.2 209 cCI17-664 17q25.1-q25.2 145 cCI17-594 17q25.2-q25.3 210 cCI17-665 17q23 146 cCI17-595 17q25.1-q25.2 211 cCI17-666 17q23.1 147 cCI17-596 17q11.2 212 cCI17-667 17q24 148 cCI17-597 17q25.3 213 cCI17-668 17q22 149 cCI17-598 17q12-q21.1 214 cCI17-669 17p13 150 cCI17-599 17q12 215 cCI17-670 17q21.3 151 cCI17-600 17q23 216 cCI17-671 17q11.2 152 cCI17-601 17q21.1-q21.2 217 cCI17-672 17q25.1-q25.2 153 cCI17-602 1Tq11.2-q13 218 cCI17-673 17q12-q31.1 154 cCI17-603 17p11.2 219 cCI17-674 17q21.3 155 cCI17-604 17q23 220 cCI17-675 17q21.3 156 cCI17-605 17q21.1-q21.2 221 cCI17-676 17q23 157 cCI17-606 17p13 222 cCI17-677 17q12-q21.1 158 cCI17-607 17q25 223 cCI17-678 17q23 159 cCI17-608 17p11.2 224 cCI17-679 17q23.1 160 cCI17-609 17q21.3 225 cCI17-680 17p13 161 cCI17-610 17q12-q21.1 226 cCI17-681 17p11.1-p11.2 162 cCI17-611 17q22 227 cCI17-683 17q11.2 163 cCI17-612 17q21.3 228 cCI17-684 17q25.1-q25.2 164 cCI17-613 17q25.1 229 cCI17-685 17p13 165 cCI17-614 17q21.3 230 cCI17-687 17q12 166 cCI17-615 17q21.1 231 cCI17-688 17p11.2 167 cCI17-616 17q25.1 232 cCI17-690 17q11.2-q12 168 cCI17-617 17q21.3 233 cCI17-691 17q25.1 169 cCI17-618 17q23.1 234 cCI17-692 17q23 170 cCI17-619 17q21.3 235 cCI17-693 17p11.2 171 cCI17-621 17q25.1-q25.2 236 cCI17-694 17p11.2 172 cCI17-622 17q12 237 cCI17-695 17p11.2 173 cCI17-623 17q25.1-q25.2 238 cCI17-696 17q23.3 174 cCI17-624 17p13 239 cCI17-697 17q25 175 cCI17-625 17q23 240 cCI17-698 17q11.2 176 cCI17-626 17q23 241 cCI17-699 17q23 177 cCI17-627 17p13 242 cCI17-700 17q23 178 cCI17-628 17q23 243 cCI17-701 17q21.3 179 cCI17-630 17q11.2 244 cCI17-702 17q25.2-q25.3 180 cCI17-631 17p11.2 245 cCI17-703 17p13 181 cCI17-662 17q22 246 cCI17-704 17q23 182 cCI17-633 17q12 247 cCI17-705 D17S554 17p11.2 183 cCI17-634 17q21.3 248 cCI17-706 D17S555 17q12 184 cCI17-636 17p13 249 cCI17-707 D17S556 17q25.1-q25.2 185 cCI17-637 17q12 250 cCI17-708 17p13 186 cCI17-638 17p11.2 251 cCI17-709 17p12 187 cCI17-639 17q12 252 cCI17-710 D17S557 17q25.3 188 cCI17-640 17q11.2 253 cCI17-711 17q32.1 189 cCI17-641 17q25.1 254 cCI17-712 D17S558 17p11.2 190 cCI17-642 17q12-q21.1 255 cCI17-713 D17S559 17p13 191 cCI17-643 17q21.3 256 cCI17-714 D17S560 17q25.3 192 cCI17-644 17q23 257 cCI17-715 17q21.3 193 cCI17-645 17p13 258 cCI17-716 D17S561 17p13 194 cCI17-646 17p13 259 cCI17-717 17p13 195 cCI17-647 17q25.1-q25.2 260 cCI17-719 17q25 196 cCI17-650 17q12 261 cCI17-721 17q23 197 cCI17-651 17q25.1 262 cCl 17-722 D17S563 17q25.2-q25.3 No. Probe name Locus symbol Chromosomal localization No. Probe name Locus symbol Chromosomal localization 263 cCI17-723 17p13 304 cCI17-834 1Tq11.3-q12 264 cCI17-724 D17S564 17p11.2 305 cCI17-835 17q21.3 265 cCI17-726 17q25 306 cCI17-841 17p12 266 cCI17-727 D17S566 17p13 307 cCI17-1005 17q21.3 267 cCI17-728 D17S567 17p12 308 cCI17-1008 17q21.3 268 cCI17-729 D17S568 17q11.2 309 cCI17-1016 17q23.1 269 cCI17-730 17q21.3 310 cCI17-1018 17q21.2-21.3 270 cCI17-732 D17S570 17p13.2 311 cCI17-1019 17q23.1 271 cCI17-733 17q25.1 312 cCI17-1024 17q12 272 cCI17-735 D17S572 17q25.3 313 cCI17-1029 17q11.2 273 cCI17-736 D17S573 17q21.3 314 cCI17-1030 17q22 274 cCI17-737 D17S557 17q25.2-q25.3 315 cCI17-1031 17q11.2 275 cCI17-739 D17S575 17q25.1 316 cCI17-1032 17q23.1-23.2 276 cCI17-741 17q25.3 317 cCI17-1049 17q21.3 277 cCI17-742 17q25 318 cCI17-1055 17q21.3 278 cCI17-743 17q23.3 319 cCI17-1059 17q21.1-q21.2 279 cCI17-744 17q23 320 cCI17-1063 17q12 280 cCI17-745 D17S577 17p13 321 cCI17-1073 17q11.2 281 cCI17-801 17q11.2-q12 322 cCI17-1079 17q12 282 cCI17-802 17p11.2 323 cCI17-1082 17q22 283 cCI17-808 17q25.1-q25.2 324 cCI17-1094 17q21.1 284 cCI17-809 17q23 325 cCI17-1101 17q12 285 cCI17-810 17p13.2-p13.1 326 cCI17-1103 17q11.2 286 cCI17-812 17q25.1 327 cCI17-1106 17q11.2 287 cCI17-813 17q23 328 cCI17-1702 17q21.1-q21.2 288 cCI17-814 17p11.2 329 cCI17-1705 17q21.2-q21.3 289 cCI17-815 17q24 330 cCI17-1706 17q21.1-q21.2 290 cCI17-816 17q23 331 cCI17-1707 17q21.2-q21.3 291 cCI17-817 17q23 332 cCI17-1709 17q12 292 cCI17-818 17p11.2 333 cCI17-1710 17q21.3 293 cCI17-820 17q12 334 cCI17-1711 17q12 294 cCI17-821 17p13 335 cCI17-1715 17q12 295 cCI17-822 17q11.1 336 cCI17-1717 17q21.3 296 cCI17-823 17q12 337 cCI17-1719 17q11.2 297 cCI17-825 17p11.2 338 cCI17-1720 17q24.3-q25.1 298 cCI17-826 17q11.2 339 cCI17-1722 17q23 299 cCI17-827 17p11.2 340 cCI17-1723 17q21.3 300 cCI17-838 17p11.2 341 cCI17-1724 17q11.2 301 cCI17-831 17q25.1-q25.2 342 cCI17-1725 17q21.1 302 cCI17-832 17p11.2 343 pCMM86 17q23 303 cCI17-833 17q23 From among these markers, ones exhibiting restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in which the lengths of restriction fragments vary with the individual, namely RFLP markers, were selected. The selected marker clones, the restriction enzymes used, and the particular lengths of several fragments detected thereby are shown in Tables 4-6. No. Probe name Locus symbol Enzyme Allele size (frequency) Chromosomal localization 2 cCI17-7 D17S860 PvuII 3.0 kb(0.33) 1.8+ 1.2 kb(0.67) 16 cCI17-97 D17S861 PstI 8.2kb(0.92) 17q21.3 4.7+3.5 kb(0.08) 17 cCI17-315 D17S521 TaqI 2.0kb(0.67) 17q25.1-q25.2 1.8 kb(0.33) 18 cCI17-316 D17S862 MspI 3.1 kb(0.33) 17q12-q21.1 2.7 kb(0.67) 19 cCI17-317 D17S522 TaqI 2.6-3.9 kb 4 alleles VNTR,60% heterozygosity also polymorphic with MspI,PstI,PvuII 17q11.2 29 cCI17-453 D17S525 BgIII 5.8-7.5 kb 4 alleles VNTR,50% heterozygosity also polymorphic with EcoRI,TaqI,PstI,PvuII,MapI 17p13 42 cCI17-469 D17S533 MspI 2.0-2.6 kb 5 alleles VNTR,83% heterozygosity also polymolphic with EcoRI,TaqI,PvuII 17q25.2-q25.3 54 cCI17-487 D17S538 EcoRI 5.8 kb(0.75) 17q25.1 3.3 kb(0.25) 56 cCI17-489 D17S540 MspI 3.3 kb(0.25) 17q23 2.1 kb(0.50) TaqI 1.5 kb(0.50) - 1.35 kb(0.50) PvuII 1.2 kb(0.50) 0.7 kb(0.50) 58 cCI17-491 D17S863 TaqI 3.6 kb(0.T5) 17p13.1 3.3 kb(0.25) 59 cCI17-492 D17S542 BgIII 2.1 kb(0.40) 17q11.2 1.4 kb(0.60) 61 cCI17-494 D17S865 EcoRI 10.3 kb(0.92) 7.8 kb(0.008) 70 cCI17-505 D17S544 MspI 3.1 kb(0.58) 17p12-p11.1 3.0 kb(0.42) TaqI 4.1 kb(0.67) 2.7+1.4 kb(0.33) 71 cCI17-506 D17S545 MspI 3.0 kb(0.33) 17q21 2.6 kb(0.67) 73 cCI17-508 D17S546 MspI 4.6 kb(0.50) 17q25.1-q25.2 4.0 kb(0.50) 80 cCI17-516 D17S550 TaqI 4.1 kb(0.25) 17q25.1 2.4+ 1.7 kb(0.75) PvuII 3.4 kb(0.83) 2.2 kb(0.17) 88 cCI17-525 D17S866 MspI 2.7 kb(0.42) 2.3 kb(0.58) 118 cCI17-562 D17S5867 TaqI 3.5 kb(0.42) 3.2 kb(0.58) PvuII 7.1 kb(0.92 6.6 kb(0.08) 137 cCI17-584 D17S868 MspI 3.8 kb(0.25) 3.6 kb(0.75) 166 cCI17-615 D17S869 PstI 5.2 kb(0.42) 4.7 kb(0.58) 243 cCI17-701 D17S870 TaqI 1.7-2.5 kb 6 alleles VNTR,67% heterozygosity also polymorphic with MspI,PstI,PvuII,RsaI 17q21.3 244 cCI17-702 D17S871 MspI 4.1 kb(0.83) 17q25.2-q25.3 3.4 kb(0.17) RsaI 5.2 kb(0.83) 4.1 kb(0.17) BgIII 6.6 kb(0.83) 5.6 kb(0.17) PvuII 2.9 kb(0.83) 2.2kb[0.17) No. Probe name Locus symbol Enzyme Allele size (frequency) Chromosomal localization 245 cCI17-703 D17S877 TaqI 2.6-3.8 kb 4 alleles VNTR,50% heterozygosity also polymorphic with MspI,RsaI,PstI,PvuII 17p13 247 cCI17-705 D17S554 PstI 4.3 kb(0.50) 17p11.2 2.3+2.0 kb(0.50) 250 cCI17-708 D17S878 Pvu11 2.6-9.0 kb 10 alleles VNTR,87% heterozygosity also polymorphic with MspI,TaqI,BgIII,PstI,EcoRI 17p13 252 cCI17-710 D17S557 MspI 2.0-2.6 kb 5 alleles VNTR,100% heterozygosity also polymorphic with RsaI,TaqI,PstI,PvuII,EcoRI 17q25.3 254 cCI17-712 D17S558 MspI 3.1 kb(0.58) 17p11.2 2.9 kb(0.42) TaqI 6.6 kb(0.67) 4.3+ 2.3 kb(0.33) PvuII 7.1 kb(0.50) 3.9+ 3.2 kb(0.50) 255 cCI17-713 D17S559 MspI 2.2-2.8 kb 3 alleles VNTR,50% heterozygosity also polymorphic with PstI 17p13 256 cCI17-714 D17S560 Rsal 4.5 kb(0.58) 17q25.3 4.3 kb(0.42) - TaqI 3.8 kb(0.75) 2.8 kb(0.25) BgIII 3.8 kb(0.58) 3.5 kb(0.42) PvuII 2.6 kb(0.58) 2.4 kb(0.42) 1.5 kb(0.58) 1.4 kb(0.42) 257 cCI17-715 D17S872 PstI 3.3 kb(0.17) 17q21.3 3.0 kb(0.83) EcoRI 3.6 kb(0.87) 3.3 kb(0.13) 258 cCI17-716 D17S561 TaqI 2.4 kb(0.87) 17p13 1.3+ 1.1 kb(0.13) 261 cCI17-721 D17S864 RsaI 2.9 kb(0.25) 17q22-q23 1.6 kb(0.75) BgIII 4.4 kb(0.83) 3.9 kb(0.17) 262 cCI17-722 D17S563 MspI 4.1 kb(0.83) 17q25.2-q25.3 3.4 kb(0.17) RsaI 5.2 kb(0.83) 4.1 kb(0.17) BgIII 6.6 kb(0.83) 5.6 kb(0.17) PvuII 2.9 kb(0.83) 2.2 kb(0.17) EcoRI 13.0 kb(0.75) 12.5 kb(0.25) 263 cCI17-723 D17S873 MspI 3.0 kb(0.33) 17p13 1.7 kb(0.67) RsaI 0.8 kb(0.70) 0.5 kb(0.30) TaqI 3.6 kb(0.33) 1.9 kb(0.67) PstI 5.8 kb(0.50) 5.3 kb(0.50) PvuII 4.6 kb(0.58) 4.2 kb(0.42) 266 cCI17-727 D17S566 PvuII 2.6-9.0 kb 10 alleles VNTR,87% heterozygosity also polymorphic with MspI,TaqI,BgIII,PstI,EcoRI 17p13 268 cCI17-729 D17S568 MspI 4.6 kb(0.58) 17q11.2 2.6 kb(0.42) No. Probe name Locus symbol Enzyme Allele size (frequency) Chromosomal localization 269 cCI17-730 D17S874 MspI 2.2-3.5 kb 4 alleles VNTR,83% heterozygosity also polymorphic with TaqI,BgIII,PstI,PvuII 17q21.3 270 cCI17-732 D17S570 RsaI 3.2 kb(0.50) 17p13.2 2.7 kb(0.50) BgIII 8.5 kb(0.50) 3.2 kb(0.50) PstI 2.5 kb(0.58) 1.7 kb(0.42) PvuII 4.2 kb(0.50) 4.1 kb(0.50) 271 cCI17-733 D17S875 MspI 3.4 kb(0.75) 17q25.1 2.6 kb(0.25) 272 cCI17-735 D17S572 MspI 4.1 kb(0.83) 17q25.3 3.4 kb(0.17) RsaI 5.2 kb(0.83) 4.1 kb(0.17) PvuII 2.9 kb(0.83) 2.2 kb(0.17) 273 cCI17-736 D17S573 TaqI 1.7-2.5 kb 7 alleles VNTR,100% heterozygosity also polymorphic with MspI,RsaI,PstI,PvuII 17q21.3 275 cCI17-739 D17S575 MspI 3.3 kb(0.33) 17q25.1 2.4 kb(0.67) 278 cCI17-743 D17S876 TaqI 4.3 kb(0.17) 2.8 kb(0.83) RFLP markers are characterized in that they can be used to distinguish between two alleles inherited from parents by the difference in polymorphism ("informative") [however, they are indistinguishable when both of them have the same polymorphic pattern ("not informative")]. If such a difference in polymorphic pattern between two alleles ("heterozygosity") exists in normal tissues and the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) is detected in tumor tissues, this implies the allelic deletion in the RFLP marker site on a specific chromosome of tumor tissues. It is generally believed that the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes on both alleles, as caused by the deletion of one allele and the mutation in the other, may lead to malignant transformation. Thus, it is assumed that a tumor suppressor gene is present in a region commonly deleted in many cancers. Using the detailed chromosome map and RFLP markers thus obtained, the present inventors examined about 300 breast cancers and about 100 ovarian cancers for LOH in chromosome 17. As a result, it was revealed that, in informative cases, a region (of 2.4 cM) lying between cosmid markers cCI17-701 and cCI17-730 located in the neighborhood of 17q21 was deleted with high frequency. Fig. 2 shows partial deletions on chromosome 17q in ovarian cancers. Solid circles represent the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and open circles represent the retention of both alleles. Two commonly deleted regions are designated by sidelines. Fig. 3 shows partial deletions on chromosome 17q in breast cancers. Solid circles represent the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and open circles represent the retention of both alleles. Two commonly deleted regions are designated by sidelines. One of the commonly deleted region partially overlapped with the region in which the presence of a causative gene was suggested by linkage analyses of families affected with hereditary breast cancer. When 650 cases of sporadic breast cancer were examined for somatic rearrangements by Southern-blot analysis using cosmids located to the overlapping region as probes, it was revealed that a partial region in the DNA of cosmid clone cCI17-904, which had been selected as described above, detected amplification. On closer examination of this alterations, it was found that segments each having about 6-9 kb were connected with each other to form an abnormal repetition consisting of about 4-6 copies. Moreover, a gene encoding a novel protein was isolated by screening cDNA (DNA having a complementary base sequence reverse-transcribed from messenger RNA) libraries by using, as probe, a restriction fragment of this cosmid clone having a sequence which was conserved among other species. When the sequence structure of this gene was determined and the presence or absence of genomic alterations of this gene in breast cancers was examined, a distinct gene mutation was identified. These results have revealed that deficiency or mutation in this protein and the allelic deletion or mutation of the DNA encoding it deeply participate in the onset of breast and ovarian cancers. Fig. 4 shows the above-described process starting with a group of markers and leading to the isolation of the gene, as well as the regions where genomic rearrangements occurred in tumor tissues. Clone names are designated by clone numbers alone. The present invention is very important in that it can provide methods and materials for solving difficult problems (such as risk diagnosis, early finding, course watching, determination of a treatment plan, and estimation of prognosis) concerning at least a part of breast and ovarian cancers, for example, by examining the presence or absence of deficiency or mutation in the protein of the present invention or the presence or absence of the allelic deletion or mutation of the gene encoding it, and thereby bring about a marked advance in the technology in this field. Specifically, the present invention provides (1) an MDC protein represented by an amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:3 (2) a DNA encoding the above MDC protein represented by SEQ ID NO:6 or SEQ ID NO:7 (3) a plasmid containing the DNA as set forth in the above (2), a transformant carrying the plasmid, i.e., a transformant transformed with the plasmid, and a process for the production of the MDC protein described above, which comprises the steps of culturing the transformant described above and collecting the resulting expression product, (4) an antibody which can bind specifically to the MDC protein described above as an antigen, and (5) a primer or probe which has a DNA sequence comprising a DNA sequence complementary to at least seventeen bases of the DNA sequence as set forth in the above (2), and a gene analysis method which comprises the step of hybridising the primer or probe described above to a DNA to be tested. The term "MDC protein" in this specification means a protein and a peptide (including an oligopeptide and a polypeptide) involved in the definition of the term "the MDC protein". Further applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. The present invention will be specifically described hereinbelow. Detailed Description of the Invention (1) Isolation of cDNA clones Cosmid clones having a DNA derived from human chromosome 17 introduced thereinto can be produced, for example, by extracting chromosomal DNA from a human-mouse hybrid cell line containing a single human chromosome 17 in a mouse genomic background, and incorporating fragments of the chromosomal DNA into a vector such as pWEX15, according to a method reported by Tokino et al. (Tokino et al., Am. J. Hum. Genet., 48, 258-268, 1991). From among them, clones having an insert derived from the human chromosome can be selected by colony hybridisation using the whole human DNA as probe. The map position of each of the cosmid clones can be determined by FISH. Then, they can be used as markers to construct a high resolution physical chromosome map. Moreover, RFLP markers can be selected on the basis of the fragment length pattern in southern blot analysis (Nakamura et al., Am. J. Hum. Genet., 43, 854-859, 1988). If this map and these RFLP markers are utilized to examine DNAs obtained from the tumor tissues of cancer patients for LOH (loss of heterozygosity), the commonly deleted region on the chromosome in the tumor tissues can be localized to a very small region near q21 of chromosome 17. Southern-blot analysis of the DNAs from tumor tissues by using a cosmid clone, whose hybridizable portion is present in this localized region, as probe makes it possible to select clones having a DNA sequence associated with genomic alterations in the tumor tissues. Moreover, Southern-blot analysis of the chromosomal DNAs of various mammals by using restriction fragments of the cosmid clone as probes makes it possible to select a fragment containing a DNA sequence conserved among other species and involved in fundamental cellular functions. DNA sequences encoding important proteins are often conserved among other species. In fact, many of the hitherto isolated genes for hereditary diseases are conserved among other species (Call, K.M. et al., Cell, 60, 509-520, 1990). If the DNA fragment thus obtained is used as probe, the cDNA of the gene present in a localized region near q21 of human chromosome 17 can be cloned. The base sequence of this cDNA can be determined by a conventional manner (Maniatis, J. et al., Molecular Cloning 2nd. ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, N.Y. 1989). In order to confirm that the DNA clones thus obtained are clones of the desired causative gene, their sequences may be used to examine the presence or absence of genomic alterations in cancer patients and the incidence of genomic alterations according to the SSCP method (Orita, M. et al., Genomics, 5, 874-879, 1984; Orita, M. et al., Cell, 60, 509-520, 1990), the RNase protection method (Winter, E., Perucho, M. et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 82, 7575-7579, 1985; Myers, R.M. et al., Science, 230, 1242-1246, 1985) and other methods. (2) Confirmation of the whole structure of the gene It has been confirmed that the DNA sequences of two cDNAs obtained by the above-described procedure are novel and are those of the DNAs represented by SEQ ID NO:6 and SEQ ID NO:7. The corresponding amino acid sequences have also been identified as those of the proteins represented by SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3. Moreover, 5'-RACE and RT-PCR have revealed the DNA sequence of the DNA represented by SEQ ID NO:8, and the amino acid sequence of the protein represented by SEQ ID NO:4 has been deduced as one corresponding to the DNA sequence. Furthermore, with regard to genomic DNA, the structure of the DNA represented by SEQ ID NO:9 including introns and exons has been revealed by analyzing the base sequence of the original cosmid clone cCI17-904 and comparing it with the base sequence of the isolated cDNA clone to determine the intron-exon junctions. By the present inventors, proteins comprising the whole or part of the amino acid sequence of the protein represented by SEQ ID NO:1, which is an amino acid sequence common to all of the above-described proteins, are named MDC proteins and will hereinafter be referred to as MDC proteins. The term "a part of the protein" means, for example, a polypeptide having or comprising an amino acid sequence consisting of a continuous, at least three amino acids which is described in SEQ ID NO:1. The amino acid sequence consists of preferably at least three to five amino acids, still more preferably at least eight or at least eight to ten amino acids, and most preferably at least eleven to twenty amino acids. As used herein, the term "substantially equivalent" means that, in proteins comprising the whole or part of the amino acid sequence of the protein represented by, for example, SEQ ID NO:1, their amino acid sequences are attended with the replacement, deletion and/or insertion of one or more amino acids, but they can produce an equal effect in research and diagnosis using the proteins comprising the whole or part of the amino acid sequence of the protein represented by, for example, SEQ ID NO:1. Such equivalents also fall within the scope of the present invention and also called as MDC proteins. The DNA sequence common to all DNAs encoding MDC proteins is one of the DNA represented by SEQ ID NO:5. A DNA in accordance with the present invention can be utilized in gene analysis and diagnosis. That is, a primer or probe comprising a part of the DNA sequence of the DNA according to the present invention, or comprising a DNA sequence complementary to a part of the DNA sequence of the DNA according to the present invention is used in gene analysis and diagnosis. Part of the DNA sequence consists of at least six bases, preferably at least 8 bases, still more preferably 10-12 bases and particularly preferably about 15-25 bases. That is, the oligonucleotide used as primer or probe comprises at least six bases derived from the DNA sequence of the DNA according to the present invention or derived from the DNA sequence complementary to the DNA sequence of the DNA according to the present invention, and, if necessary, other base(s). In connection with the DNAs of the present invention, the term "substantially equivalent" has the same meaning as described above for the proteins, except that their base sequences are attended with the replacement, deletion and/or insertion of one or more bases. The introduction of replacement, deletion and insertion mutations into a particular base sequence can be accomplished according to any of conventional methods including those described in F.M. Ausubel et al., "Current Protocols in Molecular Biology", 1987, Chapter 8. The MDC protein encoded by the DNA according to the present invention, i.e., the MDC protein according to the present invention, can be utilized by using it as an epitope to prepare an antibody. This antibody can be used in experimental and diagnostic reagents. The term "epitope" means an antigenic determinant of a polypeptide and is generally composed of at least 5 amino acids. It is well known that a polypeptide composed of 6 amino acids binds with an antibody, as disclosed in, for example, Published Japanese Translation of International Patent Application No. 60-500684. (3) Recombinant expression vectors and transformants generated therewith A transformant can be obtained by incorporating a DNA encoding human MDC protein, which has been obtained by the above-described procedure, or a fragment thereof into a suitable vector and introducing this vector into suitable host cells. By culturing this transformant with a conventional manner, large amounts of human MDC protein can be obtained from the culture. More specifically, a recombinant expression vector can be produced by linking a DNA encoding a human MDC protein or a fragment thereof on the downstream side of the promoter of a vector suited for its expression according to a well-known method using restriction enzymes and DNA ligase. Usable vectors include, for example, plasmids pRB322 and pUC18 derived from Escherichia coli, plasmid pUB110 derived from Bacillus subtilis, plasmid pRB15 derived from yeast, phage vectors λgt10 and λgt11, and vector SV40 derived from an animal virus. However, no particular limitation is placed on the type of vector used, so long as it can be replicated and amplified in the host. Similarly, no particular limitation is placed on the promoter and terminator, so long as they are compatible with the host used for the expression of the DNA base sequence encoding the human MDC protein. They may be used in any suitable combination depending on the host. The DNA used can be any of DNAs encoding human MDC protein. It is not limited to the base sequences represented by SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:7, and SEQ ID NO:9, but can be any of DNAs in which a part of the base sequence has undergone replacement, deletion, insertion or a combination thereof, whether intentionally or not. In addition, chemically synthesized DNAs can also be used. A transformant is generated by introducing the recombinant expression vector thus obtained into a host according to the competent cell method (J. Mol. Biol., 53, 154, 1970), the protoplast method (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 75, 1929, 1978), the calcium phosphate method (Science, 221, 551, 1983), the in vitro packaging method (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 72, 581, 1975) or the virus vector method (Cell, 37, 1053, 1984). The host used can be Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, yeast or animal cells, and the resulting transformant is grown in a suitable medium depending on the host. Usually, the transformant is grown at a temperature of 20 to 45°C and a pH of 5 to 8, optionally with aeration and stirring. Separation and purification of the MDC protein from the culture may be carried out using a suitable combination of well-known separation and purification techniques. These well-known techniques include salting-out, solvent precipitation, dialysis, gel filtration, electrophoresis, ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography, reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and the like. (4) Preparation of antibodies Antibodies can be prepared in the usual manner by using an antigen of which epitope part comprises an MDC protein. For example, a polyclonal antibody can be prepared by fully immunizing an animal such as mouse, guinea pig and rabbit through a plurality of subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal or intravenous injections of the antigen described above, collecting blood from this animal, and separating serum therefrom. Commercially available adjuvants may also be used. A monoclonal antibody can be prepared, for example, by immunizing a mouse with the antigen described above, fusing its spleen cells with commercially available mouse myeloma cells to produce a hybridoma, and collecting an antibody from the culture supernatant of the hybridoma or the ascites of a mouse inoculated with the hybridoma. The MDC protein which is used as antigen or is used to prepare an antigen need not necessarily have the whole amino acid structure described in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:3, but may have a partial structure of the amino acid sequence described in SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:3 or Alternatively, the MDC protein may be a variant or derivative of the MDC protein represented by SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:3. The antigen may be an MDC protein as such, or a fusion peptide consisting of an MDC protein (incluing peptide) and another peptide. Preparation of the fusion peptide may be carried out according to either biological techniques or chemical synthesis techniques. These antibodies enable identification and determination of the MDC protein present in human biological specimens and can hence be used as reagents for the diagnosis of cancer, and the like. The immunological determination of the MDC protein can be made according to any conventional technique. For example, any of the fluorescent antibody technique, the passive agglutination technique and the enzyme antibody technique may be employed. (5) Gene analysis of human tumor tissues The biological specimens which can be used for gene analysis include human normal tissues and various types of human tumor tissues, as well as human blood, human body fluids, human secretions and the like. The extraction and preparation of DNA can be carried out, for example, according to the method of Sato et al. (Sato, T. et al., Cancer Res., 50, 7184, 1990). The presence or absence of mutations of the gene can be analyzed by using, as probes, a restriction fragment of the DNA encoding human MDC protein as provided by the present invention, or by selecting a properly located base sequence from the DNA, synthesizing an oligonucleotide having the selected base sequence and using the oligonucleotide as primer. These analyses can also detect other alterations, such as insertion and deletion, of the gene in samples. The base sequences selected for this purpose can be exon portions, intron portions, or junction portions therebetween. It is a matter of course that artificially modified base sequences may be used. When an artificially modified base sequence is used to prepare primer, the corresponding gene mutation can be detected by the gene analysis. Analyses can be carried out, for example, by amplifying a partial sequence by PCR using two selected sequences as primers and analyzing the base sequence of the amplification product directly, or by incorporating the amplification product into a plasmid in the same manner as that described above, transforming host cells with this plasmid, culturing the transformed cells, and analyzing the base sequence of the clone thus obtained. Alternatively, the presence or absence of particular mutations of the gene in samples can be directly detected by the use of the ligase chain reaction method (Wu et al., Genomics, 4, 560-569, 1989) and, moreover, the mutant sequence specific PCR method (Ruano and Kidd, Nucleic Acid Research, 17, 8392, 1989; C.R. Newton et al., Nucleic Acid Research, 17, 2503-2517, 1989). Similarly, using probes containing DNA sequences selected or RNA sequences derived therefrom, point mutations can be detected by the SSCP method or the RNase protection method. Moreover, use of these probes also makes it possible to detect mutations of the gene in samples by Southern hybridization and abnormalities in the expression level of the gene in samples by northern hybridization. Escherichia coli DH5/pBR1 and Escherichia coli XL1-Blue MRF'Kan/pCR-5P2, each carrying a plasmid containing the DNA encoding this MDC protein, and Escherichia coli 490A/cCI 17-904, carrying a cosmid containing the genomic DNA, were deposited with the National Institute of Bioscience and Human-Technology, Agency of Industrial Science and Technology, Ministry of International Trade and Industry on April 28, 1993, February 8, 1994 and April 28, 1993 under accession numbers FERM BP-4286, FERM BP-4555 and FERM BP-4287, respectively. The MDC proteins and DNAs encoding the MDC proteins according to the present invention are expected to be useful as reagents for cancer research, testing and diagnostic reagents, and therapeutic agents. Examples The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the following Examples which should not be considered to limit the scope of the present invention. Example 1 Isolation of cosmid clones specific for human chromosome 17 and construction of a chromosome map A human-mouse hybrid cell line (GM10331) containing a single human chromosome 17 in a mouse genomic background was selected from among hybrid cells produced by fusing human normal cells with cells of an established mouse cell line and cosmid clones specific for human chromosome 17 were isolated according to the method of Tokino et al. (Tokino et al., Am. J. Hum. Genet., 48, 258-268, 1991). The chromosomal DNA of this hybrid cell line was properly digested with restriction enzyme Sau 3AI and the ends of the fragments thus obtained were treated by partial filling-in with dATP and dGTP. Fragments having a size of 35-42 kb were separated therefrom and inserted in cosmid vector pWEX15 which had previously been digested with restriction enzyme Xho I and similarly treated at its ends by partial filling-in with dCTP and dTTP. From among the resulting cosmid clones, clones containing human DNA fragments were selected by colony hybridization using 32 P-labeled human chromosomal DNA as probe. Thus, 342 cosmid clones specific for human chromosome 17 were isolated. With regard to each of these cosmid clones specific for human chromosome 17, the location to which its cosmid DNA hybridize on the chromosome was determined by FISH (Inazawa et al., Genomics, 10, 1075-1078, 1991). Thus, a physical chromosome map for chromosome 17 was constructed (see Tables 1-3 and Fig. 1). Using DNAs obtained from 6 unrelated individuals, the cosmid clones (cosmid markers), the locations on the chromosome to which their cosmid DNA hybridize had been determined, were examined by a known method (Nakamura et al., Am. J. Hum. Genet., 43, 854-859, 1988) in order to see whether RFLP could be detected or not. The restriction enzyme used was Msp I, Taq I, Bgl II, Pst I, Pvu II, Rsa I or Eco RI. As a result, RFLP was detected in 43 clones (see Tables 4-6). That is, these 43 clones were usable as RFLP markers. Example 2 Detection of commonly deleted regions of the human chromosome 17q in ovarian and breast cancers Tumor tissues were obtained from 94 patients with ovarian cancer and 246 patients with breast cancer who underwent surgery. Corresponding normal tissues or peripheral blood samples were also obtained from the respective patients. DNAs were extracted from these tissues or samples according to a known method (Sato et al., Cancer Res., 50, 7184-7189, 1990). Each DNA was digested with suitable restriction enzymes, and the fragments thus obtained were subjected to 1.0% agarose gel electrophoresis and then Southern transferred to a nylon membrane with 0.1N NaOH/0.1M NaCl (Sato et al., Cancer Res., 50, 7184-7189, 1990). The membranes thus obtained were examined for LOH (loss of heterozygosity) by Southern hybridization (Sato et al., Cancer Res., 50, 7184-7189, 1990) using, as probes, the RFLP markers obtained by the procedure of Example 1 (see Table 7). A total of 84 among 94 ovarian tumors were informative for at least one locus, and 33 (39.3%) of them showed LOH for at least one locus on chromosome 17q. Among 246 breast tumors examined, 214 were informative for at least one locus, and 88 (41.4%) showed LOH for at least one locus on chromosome 17q. From the above results, the instances which were informative for two or more loci and exhibited both loss of heterozygosity at a locus and retaining of heterozygosity at other locus on chromosome 17q were summarized. As a result, two commonly deleted regions were found in 8 ovarian cancers (see Fig. 2). One of them was a region lying between markers CI17-316 (17q12-21.1) and CI17-507 (17q21.3), and the other was a region distal to the marker CI17-516 (17q25.1). Similarly, two commonly deleted regions were found in 35 breast cancers (see Fig. 3). One of them was a region lying between markers CI17-701 (17q21.3) and CI17-730 (17q21.3), which was also found in the ovarian cancers but was more narrowly localized. The other was a region lying on the terminal side of marker CI17-516 (17q25.1), which was also the region where a deletion was observed in the ovarian cancers. Of the two commonly deleted regions defined by the above-described deletion mapping, the region flanked by markers CI17-701 and CI17-730 was found to lie close to the 17q21 region showing an intimate correlation with the onset of cancer on the basis of the results of linkage mapping studies on hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer (Hall et al., Am. J. Hum. Genet., 50, 1235-1242, 1992). The length of this region (i.e., the genetic distance between the two markers) was estimated to be 2.4 cM by linkage analysis (Lathrop et al., Am. J. Hum. Genet., 37, 482-498, 1985; Donis-Keller et al., Cell, 51, 319-337, 1987). Example 3 Isolation of cosmid clones contained in the minimal localized region Since it has been shown that the region localized on the basis of the results of linkage mapping is a region lying between markers THRA1 and Mfd188 on 17q21 (Hall et al., Am. J. Hum. Genet., 52, 1235-1242, 1992; Bowcock, A.M. et al., Am. J. Hum. Genet., 52, 718-22, 1993), an attempt was made to determine the relative order of these markers and markers CI17-701 and CI17-730 and thereby combine the mapping information obtained by two different strategies. The relative order of the markers was determined by a two-color FISH method newly developed by the present inventors. This method is a modification of FISH in which a highly extended chromosome preparation obtained by synchronization of the cells is used to enhance the degree of fineness and, moreover, probes labeled with fluorescent materials having different colors are used. This method makes it possible to determine the relative order of markers very close to each other. As a result, it was found that marker Mfd188 lies between markers CI17-701 and CI17-730 and marker THRA1 lies on the centromeric side of CI17-701 (see Fig. 4, a). That is, the region associated with hereditary breast cancer as localized by linkage mapping and the commonly deleted region in sporadic breast cancers as localized by deletion mapping overlapped each other and the overlapping minimal region was flanked by markers CI17-701 and Mfd188 (see Fig. 4, a). When a physical map of this region was constructed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, the length of the overlapping region was greatly narrowed down to about 500 kb. Furthermore, of the cosmid clones obtained by the procedure of Example 1, 37 clones localized to 17q21.3 and three known markers, THRA1, Mfd188 and PPY, were selected and used for fine mapping of this chromosomal region by two-color FISH. As a result, 15 cosmid clones were located in a region flanked by markers CI17-701 and CI17-730. Of these, two cosmid clones, CI17-527 and CI17-904, were found to lie in the above-described overlapping region (see Fig. 4, a and b). Example 4 Detection of genomic alterations in breast cancers Of the overlapping region of about 500 kb, about 150 kb has already been covered by four cosmid clones CI17-701, CI17-527, CI17-904 and Mfd188. Accordingly, an attempt was first made to screen restriction (Sac I, Pvu II or Pst I) fragments of the DNAs from the tumor tissues of 650 sporadic breast cancers by Southern-blot analysis using the DNAs of these cosmid clones or fragments thereof as probes and thereby detect gross structural genomic alterations (so-called genomic rearrangements), such as deletion, duplication, amplification and translocation, having occurred in the tumor cells. As a result, when the DNA of CI17-904 or its 9.5 kb Hind III fragment (see Fig. 4, c) was used as probe, genomic rearrangements were detected in the tumor tissues of two breast cancers (see Fig. 5, a and b). These genomic rearrangements occurred only in the tumor tissues, exhibiting extra bands of different size which were not observed in normal tissues. In addition, the intensities of some bands were increased. That is, a gene amplification occurred in a definite DNA region corresponding to (i.e., hybridizable) this probe. In one case among the above-mentioned two breast cancers, no gene amplification was detected when Southern-blot analysis of the Sac I fragments of DNA from the breast cancer tissue was carried out by using the E-H5.2 or Hind6.1 fragment adjacent to the 9.5 kb Hind III fragment (see Fig. 4, c) as probe (see Fig. 6, Case 1). This indicates that the gene amplification in this case occurred within the region corresponding to the 9.5 kb Hind III fragment and was a 4- to 5-fold amplification. For purpose of closer examination, Southern-blot analyses of the Sac I fragments of DNA from the breast cancer tissue were carried out using each of six Sac I fragments derived from the 9.5 kb Hind III fragment, A, B, C, D, E and F (see Fig. 4, c), as probe. As a result, amplified bands of abnormal size were observed at 2.5 kb with probes A and B, at 3.0 kb with probes B, C and D, at 2.5 kb with probes E and F, and at 0.9 kb with probe F (see Fig. 7). In the other case, gene amplification was detected when Southern-blot analysis of the Sac I fragments of DNA from the breast cancer tissue was carried out by using the E-H5.2 fragment as probe (see Fig. 6, Case 2). However, no gene amplification was detected when the Hind6.1 fragment was used as probe (see Fig. 6, Case 2). In this case, when the E-H5.2 fragment was used as probe, only an amplification was observed without being attended with any band of abnormal size. This indicates that the gene amplification in this case occurred in a segment extending from within the region corresponding to the 9.5 kb HindIII fragment to the outer (telomeric) side of the region corresponding to the E-H5.2 fragment. Example 5 Isolation of cDNA and determination of its structure In order to isolate an expressed gene in or near the region where genomic rearrangements were detected in the two breast cancers, DNA fragments containing DNA sequences involved in fundamental cellular functions and conserved among other species were selected from DNA fragments of cosmid clone CI17-904. Specifically, each of the DNA fragments of cosmid clone CI17-904 was used as probe in Southern blot hybridization analyses of DNA fragments from cow, pig, mouse, rat and chicken. As a result, the 3.5 kb Hind III-Ksp I fragment (see Fig. 4, c) of cosmid clone CI17-904 hybridized to DNAs from cow, pig, mouse and rat and showed strong conservation. Using this 3.5 kb Hind III-Ksp I fragment as probe, human cDNA libraries derived from five different organs (i.e., mammary gland, breast cancer cell line, fetal brain, cerebrum and cerebellum) were screened. Thus, the longest cDNA was cloned from the cerebellar cDNA library. This cDNA hybridized to the 3.5 kb Hind III-Ksp I fragment of cosmid clone CI17-904 and a plurality of adjoining restriction fragments, and extended over a region of more than 20 kb on the chromosome. Analysis of the base sequence of this cDNA revealed that it consisted of 2923 base pairs (bp) and was a novel DNA base sequence containing a 5'-untranslated region of 27 bp, a coding region of 1575 bp, a 3'-untranslated region of 1306 bp, and a poly(A) tail of 15 bp (see SEQ ID NO:6). The open reading frame contained in this cDNA sequence encoded a novel protein (MDC protein; see SEQ ID NO:2). An in-frame termination codon was present immediately upstream of the first ATG of the open reading frame. A polyadenylation signal, AATAAA, was observed about 20 bp upstream from the polyadenylation site. Example 6 Determination of the structure of genomic DNA In order to clarify the structure of the genomic DNA corresponding to the cDNA obtained in Example 5, cosmid clone CI17-904 was examined to determine the base sequences of portions containing the base sequence of this cDNA and portions surrounding them. Then, the sequences of both were compared to determine the exon-intron junctions. As a result, the sequence structure of a novel DNA containing 25 exons corresponding to the cDNA obtained in Example 5 was clarified (see SEQ ID NO:9). Thus, it was shown that these 25 exons are of relatively small size and present over an about 20 kb region of the chromosome. Example 7 Detection of alterations in the exon structure of the gene in breast cancers From the structure of the DNA containing exons/introns as clarified in Example 6, it has become apparent that exons 2, 3 and 4 are present in the sequence region of the probe (the 9.5 kb Hind III fragment of cosmid clone CI17-904) with which alterations were detected in the tumor tissues of two breast cancers as described in Example 4. More specifically, exon 2 is present in the sequence region of probe E, and exons 3 and 4 are present in the sequence region of probe F (see Fig. 4, c). Accordingly, it is believed that the gene rearrangements involving the 9.5 kb Hind III fragment region as described in Example 4 disrupt the normal exon structure in the region containing the three exons of the gene. In order to confirm this, the chromosomal DNAs from the tumor tissues of the above-described two breast cancers were examined by Southern-blot analysis using probes having DNA sequences corresponding to exons 2, 3 and 4. Thus, amplified bands of abnormal size were observed similarly to the previously described results obtained with probe E or F (see Fig. 7). Example 8 Tissue specificity of gene expression mRNAs derived from various human tissues (brain, heart, kidney, liver, lung, pancreas, placenta, skeletal muscle, colon, peripheral blood lymphocyte, ovary, small intestine, spleen, testis and thymus) were examined by northern-blot analysis using the cDNA obtained in Example 5 as probe. As a result, the strongest expression was observed in the brain, and a weak expression in the heart, ovary and testis. Moreover, amplification by RT-PCR (reverse-transcriptase PCR) was performed to detect a weaker expression. Specifically, using random hexamers as primers, single-stranded cDNAs were synthesized from mRNAs derived from various human tissues under the action of reverse transcriptase. Then, PCR amplification from these templates was performed using primers BCO9 and BCO12 having sequences derived from the sequences of exons 21 and 23, respectively, which had been revealed in Example 6. As a result, a PCR product having the expected size was observed mainly in tissues of the central nervous system (cerebrum, cerebellum and fetal brain) and in endocrine or reproductive organs (testis, ovary, mammary gland, adrenal gland, thymus and pancreas). The sequences of the primers used are as follows: Example 9 Direct sequencing of mRNA by RT-PCR mRNAs derived from human fetal brain and human testis were amplified by RT-PCR using primer GMA701 having a sequence derived from the sequence on exon 19 and primer GMB704 having a sequence derived from the sequence on exon 21. Then, the base sequences of the amplified DNAs were directly determined using primer GMA702 or GMB703. As a result, a sequence, wherein 10 bases (base numbers 1512-1521) were deleted from the cerebellar cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:6 obtained in Example 5, was found, which revealed the expression of mRNA corresponding to the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:7. Both of the fetal brain and testis mRNAs gave the identical result. The open reading frame contained in the cDNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 encodes an MDC protein (see SEQ ID NO:3) composed of 670 amino acids. This seems to be caused by the alternative RNA splicing at the initiation of exon 20 which starts with base number 6083 instead of base number 6078 on the genomic DNA of SEQ ID NO:9. Such a variation of splicing is also known from, for example, a report by Oda et al. [Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 193, 897-904 (1993)]. As a result, the amino acid sequences encoded by the cDNA of SEQ ID NO:6 and the cDNA of SEQ ID NO:7 differ from each other at and after that site (see SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3). Specifically, the cDNA of SEQ ID NO:6 produces a termination codon within exon 20, whereas the reading frame is shifted in the cDNA of SEQ ID NO:7 so as to cause the open reading frame to continue to a more downstream position. The sequences of the primers used in PCR and DNA sequencing are as follows: Example 10 Amplification of the 5'-terminal sequence by RACE In order to obtain the full-length cDNA represented by SEQ ID NO:7, PCR amplification of the 5'-cDNA terminus (5'-RACE; Frohman, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 85, 8998-9002, 1988; Belyavski, et al., Nucleic Acid Res., 17, 2919-2932, 1988) was performed. Using specific oligomer SGN012 as primer, together with a commercially available synthesis kit, a single-stranded cDNA was synthesized from 2 µg of poly A(+) RNA derived from human brain (manufactured by Clontech). Then, 5'-RACE was performed using a commercially available kit based on the method of Edwards et al. for linking an anchor oligomer to an end of a single-stranded cDNA (Nucleic Acid Res., 19, 5227-5232, 1991). As a result of PCR using the anchor oligomer of the kit and another specific oligomer SGN011 as primers, an amplification product of about 580 bp was detected by electrophoresis. This amplification product was extracted from the electrophoretic gel, purified, inserted in the Srf I cleavage site of plasmid vector pCR-Script (manufactured by Stratagene), and cloned. Plasmid DNA was purified from each clone and its base sequence was determined. One of the clones, pCR-5P2, had a cDNA insert of 501 bp beginning with ATG, next to the sequence of the anchor oligomer. The base sequence of the insert extending from base number 315 onward coincided exactly with the base sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 extending from base number 45 (the initiation site of exon 2) onward, excepting one base which will be mentioned below. Furthermore, as far as the reading frame is concerned, that of pCR-5P2 beginning with the first ATG corresponded with the polypeptide encoded by the cDNA of SEQ ID NO:7. The N-terminal region of the polypeptide sequence thus obtained encoded a signal peptide comprising a series of hydrophobic amino acids. RT-PCR was performed in order to confirm that the above 5'-terminal sequence obtained by 5'-RACE was truly linked, on mRNA, to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 extending from base number 45 onward. Using random hexamers as primers, single-stranded cDNAs were synthesized from poly A(+) RNAs derived from human brain, fetal brain, ovary and testis (manufactured by Clontech). Then, the cDNA template were amplified by PCR using an oligomer (SGN013) having the first 20-base sequence of pCR-5P2 as sense primer and SGN011 or SGN012 as antisense primer. As a result, the expected amplification product (about 500 bp for SGN013/SGN011 and about 750 bp for SGN013/SGN012) was detected by electrophoresis with every tissue RNA used. Thus, it was confirmed that the 5'-terminal sequence of pCR-5P2 obtained by 5'-RACE was linked, on mRNA, to the sequence of SEQ ID NO:7 extending from base number 45 onward, resulting in the construction of a cDNA represented by SEQ ID NO:8. The open reading frame of the cDNA of SEQ ID NO:8 encodes an MDC protein composed of 769 amino acids (see SEQ ID NO:4). The sequences of the specific oligomers used are as follows: The above-mentioned one base in the SEQ ID NO:8 after the initiation site of exon 2, differing from one in the SEQ ID NO:6 or SEQ ID NO:7, is the forth base from the initiation site of exon 2, i.e., the C at the base number 318 in the SEQ ID NO:8. The corresponding base in the SEQ ID NO:6 or the SEQ ID NO:7 is the A at the base number 48. The base C at the base number 318 in the SEQ ID NO:8 codes His at the amino acid number 106 in the SEQ ID NO:4. The base A at the base number 48 in the SEQ ID NO:6 or the SEQ ID NO:7 codes Gln at the amino acid number 7 in the SEQ ID NO:2 or the SEQ ID NO:3. This fact reflects polymorphism. An amino acid sequence common to these three variant MDC proteins (SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3 and SEQ ID NO:4) is a sequence composed of 488 amino acids (see SEQ ID NO:1), and a DNA sequence encoding this portion is also a common sequence (see SEQ ID NO:5). Example 11 Homology with known proteins The amino acid sequences of MDC proteins showed homology with a family of snake venom hemorrhagic proteins including HR1B (Takeya et al., J. Biol. Chem., 265, 16068-16073, 1990), prorhodostomin (Au et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 181, 585-593, 1991) and protrigramin (Neeper et al., Nucleic Acid Res., 18, 4255, 1990). They also showed homology with the guinea pig sperm surface protein PH30 (Blobel et al., Nature, 356, 248-252, 1992) and the rat or monkey epididymis protein EAPI (Perry et al., Biochem. J., 286, 671-675, 1992). The homology of these proteins with the MDC proteins represented by SEQ ID NO:2 (524 amino acids) and SEQ ID NO:4 (769 amino acids) is indicated by the following "percent identity/number of amino acids in the tested region". The values for SEQ ID NO:2 are given on the left side and those for SEQ ID NO:4 on the right side. HR1B 32.5/335 32.2/379 prorhodostomin 29.0/420 29.0/420 protrigramin 27.7/430 28.1/438 PH30b 38.1/147 30.8/302 EAP1 (rat) 36.0/364 33.1/475 EAP1 (monkey) 30.4/503 29.9/599 Example 12 Generation of transformants A DNA fragment encoding a part of the MDC protein represented by SEQ ID NO:2 was amplified from the DNA (SEQ ID NO:6) encoding the MDC protein (SEQ ID NO:2) by PCR using primers SGN006 and SGN008. The sequences of the primers used are as follows. For purposes of vector construction, the 5'-terminal of these primers are provided with Bgl II and Hind III cleavage site sequences, respectively. The PCR amplification product was separated by agarose gel electrophoresis and cleaved with Bgl II and Hind III. The resulting DNA fragments encoding a part of the MDC protein was combined with vector pMAL-c2 (manufactured by New England Biolabs) which had previously been cleaved with Bam HI and Hind III to construct plasmid pMAL-MDC(C1). Similarly, the same DNA fragment was combined with vector pQE-13 (manufactured by Diagen) which had previously been cleaved with Bam HI and Hind III to construct plasmid pH6-MDC(C1). Furthermore, a DNA sequence downstream from the Bam HI cleavage site (base number 1483 in SEQ ID NO:6) was removed from the MDC protein encoding region of pMAL-MDC(C1) by cleaving pMAL-MDC(C1) with Bam HI and Hind III, and recombining it after the formation of blunt ends. This resulted in the construction of plasmid pMAL-MDC(dC1), which mediates expression of a polypeptide with amino acid sequence common to two variant MDC proteins (SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3). Since the fragment incorporated into vector pMAL-c2 is expressed as a fusion protein having a maltose-binding protein (MBP) on the N-terminal side, this fusion protein was purified by affinity chromatography using an amylose column. On the other hand, since the fragment incorporated into vector pQE-13 is expressed as a fusion protein having a peptide (His 6) composed of six histidine residues on the N-terminal side, this fusion protein was purified by affinity chromatography using a metal chelate column. Several transformants were obtained by transforming E . coli JM109 with each of plasmids pMAL-MDC(C1), pMAL-MDC(dC1) and pH6-MDC(C1) and selecting for ampicillin resistance. Example 13 Expression and purification of recombinant MDC proteins Each of the transformants obtained in Example 12 was grown and the resulting recombinant MDC fusion protein was extracted and purified from the culture. Specifically, 100 ml of LB medium (1% polypeptone, 0.5% yeast extract, 1% NaCl) was inoculated with each transformant and incubated overnight at 37°C with shaking. The culture was diluted 10-fold with LB medium previously warmed to 37°C and incubated for additional 30-90 minutes to obtain a culture in the logarithmic growth phase. To 1 liter of the culture was added IPTG (isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactopyranoside) so as to give a final concentration of 1 mM. This culture was incubated for 3-4 hours and then centrifuged to collect the cells therefrom. In the case of transformant of plasmid pMAL-MDC(C1) or pMAL-MDC(dC1), the cells were suspended in 10 ml of a column buffer (20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, 200 mM NaCl) and disintegrated by sonication. Since the recombinant MDC fusion protein was present in the insoluble fraction of the disintegrated cell suspension, this was separated by centrifugation and dissolved in a denaturing buffer (8M urea, 20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.5, 10 mM dithiothreitol). Then, this solution was dialyzed against the column buffer and centrifuged to collect a supernatant soluble fraction. The dialyzed insoluble fraction was further denatured, dialyzed and centrifuged repeatedly to collect additional supernatant soluble fractions. The combined soluble fraction was applied to an amylose column (manufactured by New England Biolabs), which was washed with the column buffer and eluted with the column buffer containing 10 mM maltose. The eluted fractions were analyzed by absorptiometry at 280 nm and SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis (with Coomassie Blue staining), and combined into fractions. As a result, a fraction in which the desired MBP (maltose binding protein) fusion protein (about 68 Kd) was detected as a principal band was obtained for each of the transformants generated with plasmids pMAL-MDC(C1) and pMAL-MDC(dC1). The yield was 46.4 mg and 10.0 mg (when an OD 280 of 1 was taken as 1 mg/ml), respectively. These fusion proteins will hereinafter be referred to as MBP-MDC(C1) and MBP-MDC(dC1), respectively. Similarly, in the case of transformant of plasmid pH6-MDC(C1), the cells were suspended in 10 ml of a sonication buffer (10 mM sodium phosphate, pH 8.0, 200 mM NaCl) and disintegrated by sonication. Since the recombinant MDC fusion protein was present in the insoluble fraction of the disintegrated cell suspension, this was separated by centrifugation and dissolved in buffer A (6M guanidine hydrochloride, 100 mM NaH 2 PO 4 , 10 mM Tris-HCl, PH 8.0). Then, this solution was centrifuged to collect a supernatant soluble fraction, which was applied to a Ni-NTA column (manufactured by Diagen). This column was washed with buffer A and then buffer B (8M urea, 100 mM NaH 2 PO 4 , 10 mM Trim-HCl, pH 8.0), and eluted stepwise with buffer C (8M urea, 100 mM NaH 2 PO 4 , 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 6.3), buffer D (8M urea, 100 mM NaH 2 PO 4 , 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 5.9), buffer E (8M urea, 100 mM NaH 2 PO 4 , 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 4.5) and buffer F (6M guanidine hydrochloride, 200 mM acetic acid). The eluted fractions were analyzed by absorptiometry at 280 nm and SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis (with Coomassie Blue staining), and combined into fractions. As a result, a fraction in which the desired His6 fusion protein (about 34 Kd) was detected as a single band was obtained from the effluent resulting from elution with buffer F. The yield was 51.9 mg (when an OD 280 of 1 was taken as 1 mg/ml). This fusion protein will hereinafter be referred to as His6-MDC(C1). Example 14 Preparation of a monoclonal antibody and a rabbit polyclonal antibody The three recombinant fusion proteins, His6-MDC(C1), MBP-MDC(dC1) and MBP-MDC(C1), obtained in Example 13 were used as an immunizing antigen, an antigen for antibody purification and screening, and a standard antigen for measurement, respectively. An anti-MDC protein specific monoclonal antibody was prepared by immunizing a mouse with His6-MDC(C1). Specifically, a solution of His6-MDC(C1) (500-1000 µg/ml) in 3 M urea/PBS was mixed with complete adjuvant at a ratio of 1:1, and this mixture was injected into the peritoneal cavity of a mouse at a dose of 100 µg per animal. This injection was repeated 4-6 times at intervals of 2 weeks. After completion of the immunization, hybridomas were produced by fusing P3U1 cells with B cells in the presence of PEG1500. Then, hybridomas productive of an anti-MDC protein specific antibody were selected by monitoring the antibody titer in the culture supernatant. In order to measure the antibody titer, a first reaction was effected by adding 100 µl of the culture supernatant to a polystyrene cup having a solid phase formed from the MBP-MDC(dC1) fusion protein obtained in Example 13 (5 µg/ml). After washing, a second reaction was effected by the addition of anti-mouse IgG HRP (horse-raddish peroxidase). After washing, a color reaction (third reaction) was effected by the addition of an enzyme substrate solution [i.e., a mixed solution of hydrogen peroxide and ABTS [2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)]], and the produced color was monitored. The hybridomas were grown on a 96-well multiplate and screened by means of HAT medium. After about 2 weeks, clones reacting specifically with the antigen were selected by measuring the antibody titer in the culture supernatant. As a result of further cloning, 3 clones (G1-5A2-2C8, G2-2F2-3D11 and G2-2D10-3F5) were established as antibody-producing hybridomas. The class and subclass of the antibody produced by each of the established clones was IgG 1 for G1-5A2-2C8, IgG 2b for G2-2F2-3D11, and IgM for G2-2D10-3F5. 3,000,000 cells of each hybridoma were introduced into the peritoneal cavity of a BALB/c mouse to which 0.5 ml of pristane had been administered intraperitoneally about one week before. After 8-10 days, the ascites was collected. From the ascites collected from each animal, an antibody was purified by affinity chromatography using a protein G column. Similarly, an anti-MDC protein polyclonal antibody was prepared by immunizing a rabbit with an immunizing antigen comprising His6-MDD(C1) obtained in Example 13. Specifically, like the mouse, a rabbit was immunized with a mixture prepared by mixing a solution of His6-MDC(C1) (500-1000 µg/ml) in 3 M urea/PBS with complete adjuvant at a ratio of 1:1. After completion of the immunization, an antiserum was obtained and its antibody titer was measured using a polystyrene cup having a solid phase formed from the MBP-MDC(dC1) fusion protein obtained in Example 13. The antiserum was diluted 500- to 64,000-fold, 100 µl each of the dilutions were added to wells, and their antibody titers were tested with goat anti-rabbit IgG-HRP. Thus, the antibody titer was detectable up to the 64,000-fold dilution. Since no antibody reacting with MBP-MDC(dC1) was present in the serum before immunization, it could be confirmed that an antibody reacting specifically with the protein was produced. Furthermore, this antiserum was purified by affinity chromatography using a protein G column and a Sepharose column having the MBP-MDC(dC1) fusion protein immobilized therein. A method for the determination of the MDC protein by ELISA using the purified monoclonal antibody and purified rabbit polyclonal antibody obtained in the above-described manner was established. Specifically, the purified monoclonal antibody derived from a hybridoma (G2-2F2-3D11) was immobilized on a 96-well plate and blocked with BSA (bovine serum albumin). Test solutions containing purified MBP-MDC(C1) at concentrations of 0.156 to 5.00 µg/ml were prepared, added to wells in an amount of 100 µl per well, and reacted at room temperature for an hour. After the wells were washed, a solution (5 µg/ml) of the purified rabbit polyclonal antibody was added in an amount of 100 µl per well and reacted at room temperature for an hour. After the wells were washed, anti-rabbit IgG-HRP (5 µg/ml) was added in an amount of 100 µl per well and reacted at room temperature for an hour. After completion of the reaction, 2 mM sodium azide was added in an amount of 100 µl per well and the absorbances at 405 nm and 490 nm were measured. It was confirmed that the differential absorbances thus obtained were closely correlated with the concentrations of the test solutions, exhibiting an approximately linear relationship in the range of 0 to 2.5 µg/ml (see Fig. 8). This indicates that ELISA using these monoclonal antibody and rabbit polyclonal antibody can be used as a method for the determination of the MDC protein. SEQUENCE LISTING Reference: 61 826 / u6 Date: August 11, 1994 (1) GENERAL INFORMATION: (i) APPLICANT: (A) NAME: (1) CANCER INSTITUTE (2) EISAI CO., LTD. (B) STREET: (1) 37-1, Kamiikebururo 1-chome Toshima-ku (2) 6-10, Koishikawa 4-chome, Bunkyo-ku (C) CITY: Tokyo (D) STATE: (E) COUNTRY: Japan (ii) TITLE OF INVENTION: MDC PROTEINS AND DNAs ENCODING THE SAME (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 20 (iv) COMPUTER READABLE FORM: (A) MEDIUM TYPE: Floppy disk (B) COMPUTER: IBM PC compatible (C) OPERATING SYSTEM: PC-DOS/MS-DOS (D) SOFTWARE: PatentIn Release #1.0, Version #1.25 (EPO) (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 1: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 488 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULAR TYPE: protein (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 1: (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 2: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 524 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULAR TYPE: protein (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 2: (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO3: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 670 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULAR TYPE: protein (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 3: (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 4: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 769 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULAR TYPE: protein (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 4: (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 5: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 1464 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: double (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULAR TYPE: cDNA to mRNA (xi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE: (A) LIBRARY: human fetal brain cDNA library (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 5: (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 6: (i)SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 2923 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: double (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULAR TYPE: cDNA to mRNA (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE: (A) LIBRARY: human fetal brain cDNA library (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: 5'UTR (B) LOCATION: 1..27 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: CDS (B) LOCATION: 28..1599 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: 3'UTR (B) LOCATION: 1600..2923 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 6: (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 7: (i)SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 2913 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: double (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULAR TYPE: cDNA to mRNA (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE: (A) LIBRARY: human fetal brain cDNA library (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: 5'UTR (B) LOCATION: 1..27 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: CDS (B) LOCATION: 28..2037 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: 3'UTR (B) LOCATION: 2038..2913 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 7: (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 8: (i)SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 3183 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: double (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULAR TYPE: cDNA to mRNA (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE: (A) LIBRARY: human fetal brain cDNA library (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: CDS (B) LOCATION: 1..2307 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: 3'UTR (B) LOCATION: 2308..3183 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 8: (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 9: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 9278 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: double (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: Genomic DNA (vi) ORIGINAL SOURCE: (A) ORGANISM: Homo sapiens (vii) IMMEDIATE SOURCE: (A) LIBRARY: human DNA cosmid library (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 1 (B) LOCATION: 28..44 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 2 (B) LOCATION: 308..374 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 3 (B) LOCATION: 909..994 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 4 (B) LOCATION: 1081..1156 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 5 (B) LOCATION: 1591..1657 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 6 (B) LOCATION: 1725..1792 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 7 (B) LOCATION: 2182..2256 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 8 (B) LOCATION: 2339..2410 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 9 (B) LOCATION: 2588..2754 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 10 (B) LOCATION: 3248..3332 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 11 (B) LOCATION: 3445..3535 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 12 (B) LOCATION: 3645..3696 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 13 (B) LOCATION: 4014..4113 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 14 (B) LOCATION: 4196..4267 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 15 (B) LOCATION: 4386..4478 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 16 (B) LOCATION: 4920..5000 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 17 (B) LOCATION: 5347..5397 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 18 (B) LOCATION: 5501..5564 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 19 (B) LOCATION: 5767..5866 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 20 (B) LOCATION: 6073..6202 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 21 (B) LOCATION: 6300..6468 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 22 (B) LOCATION: 6557..6671 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 23 (B) LOCATION: 6756..6846 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 24 (B) LOCATION: 7829..7846 (ix) FEATURE: (A) NAME/KEY: exon 25 (B) LOCATION: 8165..9038 (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 9 (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 10: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 17 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 10: (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 11: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (iii) ANTI-SENSE: YES (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 11: (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 12: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 22 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 12: (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 13: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 13: (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 14: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 19 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (iii) ANTI-SENSE: YES (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 14: (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 15: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 22 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (iii) ANTI-SENSE: YES (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 15: (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 16: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 26 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (iii) ANTI-SENSE: YES (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 16: (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 17: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 25 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (iii) ANTI-SENSE: YES (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 17: (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 18: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 20 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 18: (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 19: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 27 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 19: (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 20: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 27 base pairs (B) TYPE: nucleic acid (C) STRANDEDNESS: single (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic) (iii) ANTI-SENSE: YES (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 20:

Claims: An MDC protein represented by an amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 and 3. The MDC protein as claimed in claim 1, comprising a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence consisting of continuous more than 20 amino acids in the sequence represented by the SEQ ID NO: 2 or SEQ ID NO: 3. A DNA encoding the MDC protein as claimed in claim 1 represented by a DNA sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 6 or 7. A plasmid containing the DNA as claimed in claim 3. A transformant carrying the plasmid as claimed in claim 4. A process for the production of the MDC protein as claimed in claim 1, which comprises the steps of culturing the transformant as claimed in claim 5 and collecting the resulting expression product. An antibody specific to the MDC protein as claimed in claim 1. A primer or probe which has a DNA sequence comprising a DNA sequence complementary to at least seventeen bases of the DNA sequence of the DNA as claimed in claim 3. A gene analysis method which comprises the step of hybridising the primer or probe as claimed in claim 8 to a DNA to be tested.

Inventors: EMI MITSURU, NAKAMURA YUSUKE, EMI, MITSURU, NAKAMURA, YUSUKE
Applicants: CANCER INST, EISAI CO LTD, CANCER INSTITUTE, EISAI CO., LTD.
Application year: 1994
Main classification: C07K14
IPC codes: C07K16, C07K14